The effect of melatonin on the liver of rats exposed to microwave radiation.
Djordjevic B, Sokolovic D, Kocic G, Veljkovic A, Despotovic M, Basic J, Jevtovic-Stoimenov T, Sokolovic DM. · 2015
View Original AbstractMicrowave radiation at cell phone frequencies caused measurable liver damage in rats after weeks of exposure, partially preventable with antioxidants.
Plain English Summary
Serbian researchers exposed rats to 900 MHz microwave radiation (similar to cell phone frequencies) for 4 hours daily over 20-60 days and found significant liver damage, including increased oxidative stress and cellular damage markers. When rats were also given melatonin supplements, the treatment partially protected against some of the radiation-induced liver damage. This suggests that microwave radiation can harm liver function, but natural antioxidants like melatonin may offer some protection.
Why This Matters
This study adds to mounting evidence that radiofrequency radiation causes oxidative stress in organs throughout the body, not just the brain where phones are typically held. The 900 MHz frequency used matches GSM cell phone signals, and the 4-hour daily exposure isn't unrealistic given how many hours people spend near wireless devices. What makes this research particularly valuable is the time-dependent analysis showing damage accumulates over weeks of exposure. The fact that melatonin provided partial protection reinforces that oxidative stress is a key mechanism of RF harm. While you shouldn't rely on supplements as a primary protection strategy, this research suggests that supporting your body's natural antioxidant systems may help mitigate some EMF damage. The liver findings are especially concerning because this organ is crucial for detoxification, and impaired liver function could compound other health effects from chronic EMF exposure.
Exposure Details
- Magnetic Field
- 0.1 - 0.3 mG
- Electric Field
- 54-160 V/m
- Source/Device
- 900 MHz
- Exposure Duration
- 4h a day, for 20, 40 and 60 days
Exposure Context
This study used 0.1 - 0.3 mG for magnetic fields:
- 5Kx above the Building Biology guideline of 0.2 mG
- 1Kx above the BioInitiative Report recommendation of 1 mG
This study used 54-160 V/m for electric fields:
- 180x above the Building Biology guideline of 0.3 V/m
Building Biology guidelines are practitioner-based limits from real-world assessments. BioInitiative Report recommendations are based on peer-reviewed science. Check Your Exposure to compare your own measurements.
Where This Falls on the Concern Scale
Study Details
We aimed to clarify if melatonin treatment (2 mg/kg i.p.) may favorably impact the liver tissue in rats exposed to microwave radiation. The experiment was performed on 84 six-weeks-old Wistar male rats exposed for 4h a day, for 20, 40 and 60 days, respectively, to microwaves (900 MHz, 100-300 microT, 54-160 V/m). Rats were divided in to four groups: I (control) - rats treated with saline, II (Mel) - rats treated with melatonin, III (MWs) - microwave exposed rats, IV (MWs + Mel) - MWs exposed rats treated with melatonin. We evaluated oxidative stress parameters (malondialdehyde and carbonyl group content), catalase, xanthine oxidase, deoxyribonuclease I and II activity.
Exposure to microwaves caused an increase in malondialdehyde after 40 (p < 0.01), protein carbonyl c...
Melatonin exerts certain antioxidant effects in the liver of rats exposed to microwaves, by diminishing the intensity of lipid peroxidation(Fig. 6, Ref. 32).
Show BibTeX
@article{b_2015_the_effect_of_melatonin_952,
author = {Djordjevic B and Sokolovic D and Kocic G and Veljkovic A and Despotovic M and Basic J and Jevtovic-Stoimenov T and Sokolovic DM.},
title = {The effect of melatonin on the liver of rats exposed to microwave radiation.},
year = {2015},
url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25665474/},
}